Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Rain, snow coming for some areas amid drought-like conditions

    Rain, snow coming for some areas amid drought-like conditions

    A westerly system is making its way to some parts of Pakistan as the majority of the country grapples with the debilitating effects of a prolonged dry season. 

    The westerly system is set to bring rain and snow to parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

    Meteorologist Javed Memon has told Geo that while many areas may receive moderate to heavy snowfall and rain, Sindh will mostly remain dry. 

    Rain and snowfall are predicted in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, and Khuzdar. Light to moderate rain is also likely in Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, and Ormara, with hailstorms in some parts of the province.

    Parts of Punjab might receive a few substantial rain spells between February 19 and 21 in central and southern regions. Some areas may even get hailstorms. 

    Islamabad is also predicted to receive a couple of spells of moderate rain in the same system.

  • Champions Trophy: ‘No Indian flags displayed at Pakistani stadiums,’ reports claim

    Champions Trophy: ‘No Indian flags displayed at Pakistani stadiums,’ reports claim

    With Champions Trophy just around the corner, hosts Pakistan have displayed flags of all nations except India at the newly-renovated Gaddafi and National stadiums, Indian media outlets have claimed.

    As per the details, Indian media reports quoted a post on X claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) “removed the Indian flag from the Karachi stadium” while keeping the flags of other playing nations.

    Reports went on to claim that the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was also dressed up as flags of seven teams, except India, were displayed.

    While the PCB or the International Cricket Council (ICC) have not yet responded to the claims that remain unverified, sources privy to the development told The Current that the visuals were from Feb 11 — a day before the Champions Trophy support period started.

    “As per ICC guidelines, only four flags will be hoisted on match days during the CT25. These will include the event authority [ICC], event host [PCB] and the two participating countries for the day,” they clarified.

    Netizens, however, are speculating the possible reasons behind the alleged “snub”.

    As some suggested it could have been an “honest mistake”, others believed it was Pakistan’s reaction to India’s refusal to come play the tournament in the country over “security concerns”.

    Meanwhile, ICC reported that tickets will be available for India’s opening group match with Bangladesh on February 20, while there will also be tickets available for their games against arch-rival Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2) at the eight-team tournament.

    It merits a mention that all Indian matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after months of negotiations between the PCB, India and the ICC following the neighbouring country’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. 

    There will also be limited tickets available for semi-final 1 which will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 4, ICC said.

    Separately, Pakistan is officially ready to host an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, launching the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at Dewan-e-Khas of Lahore Fort on Sunday.

    The Curtain Raiser event successfully dialled up anticipation ahead of the tournament opener on February 19 between hosts Pakistan and fellow title contenders New Zealand.

    Organisers lit Lahore Fort in all its glory, presenting a spectacular sight as a sign of what’s to come right the way through the first Champions Trophy event since 2017.

    It is hosts Pakistan that will look to defend their crown, having claimed the 2017 edition of the tournament in the United Kingdom (UK).

    Members of the trophy-winning squad from 2017 played a central role at the Curtain Raiser at Lahore Fort, helping ignite great memories such as Pakistan’s decisive win over India by 180 runs at The Oval in the final.

  • Sindhi poet Akash Ansari killed before body was burnt, police say

    Sindhi poet Akash Ansari killed before body was burnt, police say

    Famous Sindhi poet Akash Ansari’s mysterious death in a burning incident was not accidental, police have confirmed to media outlets. 

    The 69-year-old poet was found dead when his home, located in Hyderabad’s Citizen Colony, caught fire. 


    Citing the initial findings of their investigations, police have told Geo News that the poet was killed before being burnt. 

    While the police had questioned the poet’s adopted son Latif Akash, they expressed doubt about his involvement but acknowledged that the two had unresolved issues. 

    Latif has said that his father was sleeping when a fire broke out in his room around 8:30 am. 

    However, Akash’s cousin Jan Mohammad Ansari revealed that the poet had filed an FIR against Latif in 2024, alleging that he was a drug addict and had threatened to harm his father. Police have said that the father and son decided to come to amicable terms after the FIR was filed. 

    Dr Ilmuddin Ansari, a friend of Akash’s, has alleged that the poet’s burnt body showed signs of assault. 

    The body was taken to his hometown of Badin for burial, before being brought back to a hospital in Hyderabad for autopsy. 

    Police are looking into the possibility of an electric shirt circuit in the wiring of the room as a probable cause of the fire. They have confirmed that Latif was present in the house when the fire broke out in his father’s room, upon which he called Rescue officials and asked neighbours for help. 

    Akash Ansari, whose real name was Dr Allah Bux, was buried on Sunday at his ancestral graveyard Sheikh Umar, in district Badin. 

    Police are continuing to investigate the matter.

  • Fawad lashes out at Salman Raja, Raoof among others after PTI’s condemnation notice

    Fawad lashes out at Salman Raja, Raoof among others after PTI’s condemnation notice

    Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry launched a scathing attack against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raoof Hassan, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Sunday after PTI issued a statement condemning his violent altercation with lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. 

    Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter) to write a series of allegations against the PTI political committee, saying that it was involved in the embezzlement of public funds. 

    “The majority of members in PTI’s political committee […] have embezzled millions in party funds. They refuse to be held accountable for funds collected in the name of Imran Khan [PTI founder] and party workers,” Chaudhry said, stressing that holding them accountable for the funding is extremely important.

    Chaudhry claimed that lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, who had earlier been a victim of a Chaudhry punch outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, Waqas and Raja had caused severe damage to PTI. “This group has swallowed millions under the guise of legal and media management,” he alleged.

    Fawad Chaudhry revealed that PTI Secretary Information received 50 million rupees in salary despite PTI’s media team not getting paid for the last four months.

    He reiterated, “Accountability for funding is crucial because PTI’s media department has not received salaries for the past four months, and the cleaning staff has been laid off. Meanwhile, people like Raoof Hassan are getting a hike in salary.”

    Chaudhry then moved his crosshair towards PTI Secretary-General. “Salman Raja has been a legal aide and supporter of the Sharif family in every corruption case, from Panama to other scandals,” he alleged.

    Chaudhry said that Akram started his career as a courier. “Now, he is enjoying luxury at the expense of PTI’s funding and the provincial budget,” he added.

    Chaudhry’s allegation against PTI leaders came hours after the PTI political committee issued a statement condemning his violence against lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. The statement dubbed Chaudhry’s action a “crude and callous demonstration of the animal instinct over logic and reason.”

    The altercation between Chaudhry and the PTI senior leader occurred outside Adiala Jail gate no. 5 on Saturday after Chaudhry called Shaheen a “tout”. In response, Shaheen told him to “mind his own business”.

    Chaudhry then punched Shaheen, resulting in the latter falling to the ground and sustaining an injury on his arm. Following the altercation, Chaudhry went inside the jail while Shaheen was called inside by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail.

    Further terming Chaudhry’s action “a criminal act”, the statement said, “It is not a slap on the face of Mr. Shoaib Shaheen alone. It is a slap on the face of PTI.”

    Additionally, the statement read, “His dastardly conduct further reflects the frustration that Fawad Chaudhry may be suffering from when, as per instructions of the Founder Chairman Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, the party announced its complete dissociation from his person. It was also announced that Mr. Fawad Chaudhry would not represent the party at any forum in any manner whatsoever.”

    “The Political Committee of PTI takes a serious note of the incident and condemns Mr. Fawad Chaudhry’s gross demeanour in the strongest possible words. The Political Committee also reiterates its complete support for Mr. Shoaib Shaheen for his sagacity in the face of adversity. We salute his courage and composure in dealing with an ugly situation. Despite the dastardly provocation, we call upon our activists and workers to remain peaceful. The party shall prevail.”

  • US to award 16 officials for exceptional care of American woman

    US to award 16 officials for exceptional care of American woman

    16 government officials will be awarded certificates of appreciation by the US Consul General on February 18 for their excellent care of an American woman, Onija Andrew Robinson.

    The US Consul General will present certificates of appreciation to 16 officers and employees of the FIA, as well as police and airport medical staff, for the excellent care and kindness shown to Onijah.

    According to sources, certificates of appreciation will be presented to Director FIA Karachi Noman Siddiqui, Deputy Director Immigration Bahawal Dosto, Assistant Director Immigration Abdul Jabbar, Immigration Officers Ghulam Sarwar and Omar Daraz, Police Officers Shabana Jilani, Nosheen Akhtar, SHO Airport Kaleem Musa, Protocol Officers Syed Danish, Furqan Rahim, Sagheer Ahmed, Director Airport Security Force Ehsanullah, Executive Director of Airport Medical Staff Shahid Rasool, Joint Director Muhammad Suleman, Deputy Director Yahya Tanio and Dr. Chani Lal at a special ceremony.

    After leaving Pakistan in early February, Onija, who travelled there to marry a man but was rejected due to family pressure, stopped in Dubai on February 7 with an on-arrival visa. She was supposed to be on her way back to the US, but after not complying with the plan, she has now been placed in protective custody.

    She was scheduled to board Emertite flight EK203 to New York but chose not to despite her family and US officials expecting her.

    Videos of her strolling the streets of Dubai circulated the internet yet again, after which the American agencies alert UAE authorities.

    Onijah in Pakistan

    Onijah Andrew Robinson, the American woman who had been in Karachi ever since her Pakistani lover abandoned her after making false promises of marriage last year, now returned to the US on February 7, 2025.

    She reportedly landed in Karachi on October 11, 2024, while her visa was set to expire on November 10, but despite her online paramour’s refusal to marry her, she chose to stay.

    In February, she was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, with concerns for her mental health.

    According to media sources, incoherence in speech and swelling in her hands and feet caused concerns. Admitted to the  Department of Psychiatry, reports of her detailed examination are due.

    Jeremiah Andrew Robinson, Onijah’s son, revealed in a video statement earlier this week that his mother is mentally unwell and experiences cognitive hindrances. He stated that her claims and actions must be perceived and dealt with accordingly.

    He also claimed that Onijah was supposed to return to the US two weeks after she arrived in Pakistan in October, and that he and his brother had bought a return ticket.

    The 33-year-old US national’s criminal record shows that she was arrested in Charleston County in South Carolina in 2021, “ENTERING PREMISES AFTER WARNING”. It also revealed that a bail bond of $465 is possibly not paid.

    On February 7 a medical board gave the green signal for her to travel, deeming her fit to go, after which the police escorted her to the airport. US Consulate staff also paid her a visit in the hospital, persuading her to go back to the US, and organised her flight.

    While Onijah Robinson was in Pakistan, people around the world, especially in America, followed her story with zesty as her odyssey turned into a media storm. Foreign netizens shared how their perspective of Pakistanis changed upon witnessing the hospitality given to Onija and the patience people here showed towards her. Comparisons were drawn with the depiction of Pakistanis in Western media, which is often bleak and fearful.

  • Anil Kapoor, Vidya Balan applaud Mawra Hocane after Sanam Teri Kasam re-release

    Anil Kapoor, Vidya Balan applaud Mawra Hocane after Sanam Teri Kasam re-release

    Bollywood movie Sanam Teri Kasam, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, was re-released in cinemas in India on February 7. Since then, it has received praise from big Indian names including Vidya Balan, Anil Kapoor, and John Abraham.

    The romantic drama was originally released in 2016. The movie was somewhat of a flop, earning only Rs 9.11 crore in India, with a worldwide gross of Rs 16.03 crore.

    But now, Sanam Teri Kasam has become a commercial success, becoming the second highest-grossing re-released Indian film to date.

    According to the media, on the seventh day since its re-release, the movie earned 35.15 crore rupees, showing a daily earning jump of 2.15 crore rupees.

    Famous Bollywood actress Vidya Balan praised the movie via an Instagram story, writing, “Enjoyed watching this simple love story in the theatre! Congrats to Mawra Hocane, Harshvardhan Rane, Radhika Rao, Vinay Sapru, Kaleem Khan”

    She added, applauding the Pakistani actress, “Mawra, you are amazing.”

    Another Bollywood legend, Anil Kapoor, congratulated the team on its successful re-release via Instagram stories, writing, “Congratulations to (producer) Deepak Mukut and the entire Sanam Teri Kasam team on its re-release! The film has already won hearts, and its success is truly well-earned. Wishing Harshvardhan Rane, Mawra Hocane, Soham Rockstar Entertainment, (co-producer) Hunar Mukut, and everyone involved even more milestones ahead!”

    Mawra Hocane responded, “Thank you, Anil Kapoor sir!”

    John Abraham, commended the movie’s success on his Instagram, writing in his story, “Finally, Harshvardhan Rane, you have got your due!”

    To this, Harshvardhan responded, “Thank you, my sir! I have learnt patience and working hard with my standards always up and my head always down from you – the OG,”

    Jumping in the fan club was Arjun Rampal who posted on his instagram, “So so happy, for Harshvardhan Rane, Deepak Mukut, and Hunar Mukut for this. Harshvardhan has been manifesting this since I have known him. This is a true example of ‘if you desire something with a pure heart, the universe listens’,”

    Harshvardhan responded in the comments saying, “Sir, the fact that you notice others’ dreams makes you such a sweet human being.”

  • ‘Childish’ & ‘brainless’ decisions: Ahmed Shehzad calls out skipper Rizwan

    ‘Childish’ & ‘brainless’ decisions: Ahmed Shehzad calls out skipper Rizwan

    With Pakistan losing the tri-nation series final against New Zealand Friday, former Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has called out white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan’s tactical decisions, going on to label his approach as “childish” and “brainless”.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad slammed Rizwan’s decision to bat first in the match, calling it “brainless” and “lacking understanding of the pitch conditions”.

    “Pakistan’s bubble has burst ahead of the Champions Trophy,” Shehzad said, adding that it was a “mind-boggling decision”, especially after seeing in the previous match that the pitch was better for batting at night.

    “The ball doesn’t grip for spinners. Still, the team decided to bat first—no clue,” Shehzad said. 

    The 33-year-old also expressed his frustration with Rizwan’s team selection, particularly the decision to leave out a specialist bowler in favour of an all-rounder. He argued that this weakened the team’s bowling attack and that Rizwan’s cautious approach favoured a deep batting lineup over a well-balanced team.

    “In every decision, the Pakistan captain wants to play it safe with batting,” Shehzad explained. 

    “Whether it’s not having enough spinners in the Champions Trophy squad or, in this match, playing Faheem Ashraf as an all-rounder to strengthen the batting at the expense of Mohammad Hasnain. Yet, Ashraf only bowled two overs,” he said. 

    Shehzad warned that such “childish decisions” could hurt Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

    Pakistan on Friday lost the tri-series final to New Zealand by five wickets. Despite outclassing South Africa in the second match of the series, the national side’s batting lineup crumbled before Kiwi bowlers, putting up a target of mere 243 runs.

    New Zealand comfortably won the match by five wickets and with 28 balls to spare.

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Former cricketer says time for Babar Azam to start scoring

    ‘Enough is enough’: Former cricketer says time for Babar Azam to start scoring

    Former Pakistan Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed has said that “enough was enough” and he now wanted to see Babar Azam score runs.

    Speaking to a private media outlet, Ahmed said that it was time for Babar to step up and play an important role in the national side’s wins.

    He further said that it was easier for openers to score with just two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. “Fakhar [Zaman] plays attacking cricket and if he gets out, it is bad luck.”

    However, he added, what happened to Saud Shakeel was a planned wicket.

    Babar’s cousin and former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, on the other hand, said that the star batsman put up an impressive display in recent matches with Pakistan outclassing South Africa in the tri-series.

    He went on to talk about the recent changes to the batting order and said Babar Azam was among the best ODI batsmen out there. “He needs to play positively and focus on shot slections,” Akmal said and added that everyone wanted to see Babar scoring runs.

    “It is not just about Babar’s performance but every player needs to take responsibility. If we improve our bowling, we can play brilliant cricket like New Zealand,” he concluded.

    It merits a mention that the statements come after New Zealand crushed Pakistan owing to the national side’s lackluster performance in the tri-nation series ahead of the Champions Trophy.

    Pakistan managed to win only against South Africa but lost both the opener and final of the series against New Zealand.

    On Friday, New Zealand won the tri-series final by chasing down Pakistan’s unimpressive target of 242 for a loss of only five wickets and with 28 balls to spare.

    The first powerplay was a portent for Pakistan’s go-slow. The hosts played out 48 dots in the powerplay, in which they managed 48 for 2, and failed to hit a high tempo through the innings.

    Babar Azam brought the Karachi crowd alive when he laced Jacob Duffy through the covers for four, and became the joint fastest to 6,000 ODI runs in his 123rd innings, alongside Hashim Amla.

    He, however, returned to the pavilion after scoring just 29 off 34 balls.

  • Fawad Chaudhry ‘knocks out’ Shoaib Shaheen outside Adiala Jail

    Fawad Chaudhry ‘knocks out’ Shoaib Shaheen outside Adiala Jail

    A scuffle broke out between former federal minister for information and broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shoaib Shaheen outside Gate No. 5 of Adiala Jail on Saturday. 

    As per media details, Chaudhry called Shoaib Shaheen a “tout”. In response, Shaheen told him to “mind his own business”.

    Chaudhry then punched Shaheen, resulting in the latter falling to the ground and sustaining an injury on his arm. Following the altercation, Chaudhry went inside the jail while Shaheen was called inside by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail.

    Media reports later in the day claimed that the former minister had made peace with Shaheen who, however, maintained that no such thing had happened.

    As to the reason behind the altercation, it was claimed that Shaheen had quoted PTI founder as calling Chaudhry a “bhagora” [deserter]. But Chaudhry claimed that he had asked Khan, who told him he had not said any such thing. 

    It may be noted that this is not the first time that Chaudhry has physically attacked a famous person. In January 2020, the then- Minister of Science and Technology was present at the walima ceremony of then Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari’s son. It was widely reported by media that Fawad slapped television anchor Mubashir Luqman.

    Following the scuffle, Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “People like Mubashir Luqman have nothing to do with journalism. […] It is everyone’s duty to expose such journalistic brokers.”


    The former confidante of Imran Khan, while speaking to a private media news channel hours after the altercation, claimed, “There was a scuffle that broke out. A small fight broke out. In a fight, as usually is the case, he may have got one (slap) in, I may have hit one (sic).”

    On being asked about whether his action was justified, Chaudhry responded, “Of course. It was my right. When you level such allegations, anyone will react.” He added, “Everyone has a tolerance level. I face a lot of criticism. But I have not even blocked people on Twitter.” 

    He said that he had complained to the then-prime minister’s aide on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, about Luqman’s YouTube show and had also called the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber wing but did not get the desired response.

    According to media reports, the physical altercation apparently occurred when the former TV host Mubashir Luqman uploaded a video on his YouTube channel on January 4, 2020, featuring him and anchorperson Rai Saqib discussing the TikTok stars Hareem Shah and Sandal Khattak’s connection with Chaudhry.

    Saqib, while citing TikTokers, claimed that both have multiple “immoral videos” of Chaudhry that they could release them at any time. “I have seen the video,” Saqib said upon being asked if he had watched Fawad’s videos.

    In June 2019, Chaudhry was accused of slapping YouTuber Sami Ibrahim at a wedding function in Faisalabad days after Ibrahim had posted a video on social media, alleging that a plot to oust then Prime Minister Imran Khan and weaken the Pakistan Army was being orchestrated.

    He further alleged that some from within the PTI were a part of this so-called plot, and without offering any concrete proof to support his accusation, Chaudhry was implicated in the video.

    Following the allegation, Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter) on June 3, 2019, launching a piercing attack on Ibrahim. The then-minister resorted to slurs and insulting language against the anchor.

  • Mustafa Amir case: ‘Dispute began over girl on New Year’s Eve’

    Mustafa Amir case: ‘Dispute began over girl on New Year’s Eve’

    New details in the Mustafa Amir murder case reveal that the undergraduate student was killed and burned following a dispute over a girl of foreign nationality.

    Police officials say that Armughan, the accused, and Mustafa were friends, and the two had an argument on New Year’s Eve. Following the argument, Armughan threatened to kill Mustafa along with the girl they were reportedly fighting over.

    According to the investigating authorities, on January 6, the accused tortured Mustafa, while the girl went abroad on January 12. Interpol is trying to bring her back, as her statement is necessary for the case.

    Police officials say that murder charges were added to the case after the body was found.

    Karachi police said on Friday that they found the body of Mustafa Amir in his car, both of which had been badly burnt, near the Hub check post. 

    Amir, a BBA student who went missing on January 6, had been the subject of a significant search effort by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC). “Amir was taken in this car to Hub check post where [prime suspect] Armughan set it on fire,” the police said. 

    A senior police official said in a press conference that recovering Amir’s mobile phone and other items from Armughan’s home were a turning point in the investigation. Inspector General Muqqadas Haider of the CIA said that Amir’s mother received a ransom call on January 6. He confirmed that another suspect named Shiraz Bukhari alias Shavez over suspicion of being involved in the case. 

    Shavez’s murder had led to the discovery of the timeline of the abduction and murder. He is a close friend of Armughan.  “Shavez’s admission corroborated statements of Armughan’s servants who were detained for questioning by the police in which they admitted that Amir came to their house on January 6 and was shot dead after a fight erupted between them,” he said.

    Balochistan police had handed over the body to a welfare organisation for its burial as an unidentified body.

    Previously, police officials revealed that Mustafa was kidnapped by  Armaghan, who, also in his early 20s, demanded ransom a month later.

    As the alleged kidnapper demanded Rs20 million, the case was taken over by the Anti Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) for investigation.

    Further investigation revealed that Mustafa also had a criminal record, with a drug trafficking case registered against him on January 4, 2025. He was accused of supplying weed in posh areas of the port city.

    As police raided a bungalow in Defence on February 8, the accused, Armaghan, was arrested and a large quantity of drugs was recovered from his possession.

    Armaghan confessed that Mustafa’s body was dumped in the city’s Malir area, police said, adding that it had not yet been recovered. Further investigation is underway as police search for other possible suspects.